In Part 1 of this series, we explored how timely Home Health admissions increase overall access and utilization. The same delays that limit access also carry a significant—and avoidable—financial cost for hospitals and the healthcare system as a whole. Delayed Home Health Means Longer Hospital Stays When Home Health services are not available promptly, hospitals are often forced to keep patients longer than clinically necessary while awaiting a safe discharge plan. Across Was

Timely access to Home Health following hospital discharge is a critical determinant of whether patients receive Home Health services at all. Medicare FFS claims data show that Washington State significantly underperforms the nation in speed of Home Health admissions. In 2024, only 38.8% of Washington Medicare FFS patients were admitted to Home Health within two days of hospital discharge, compared to a national average of 68.4%, making Washington the 4th slowest state in the

As CMS rolls out the 2026 updates to the Home Health CAHPS (HHCAHPS) survey, one message is clear: the redesigned survey places greater emphasis on patient-centered care, emotional connection, and family involvement. At the same time, the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) model is narrowing its lens. In 2026, only two patient experience measures will directly impact performance: Overall rating of care Willingness to recommend Together, these measures now account fo

When it comes to keeping patients healthy at home, Washington’s Home Health providers play a critical role in access. Statewide data reveal a sizable gap between actual and expected Home Health access based on patient case mix. Across Washington State, Home Health admissions average just 48.6 per 1,000 Medicare FFS beneficiaries, far below the national average of 81 per 1,000. This means thousands of Washington seniors and medically complex patients miss the opportunity to re

For many home health leaders, Medicare Spending per Beneficiary (MSPB) has been an overlooked quality measure. Although it has appeared on CMS Care Compare for years, 2026 marks the first year that MSPB directly impacts Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) payment adjustments, making it a financial as well as a quality metric. Unlike traditional measures that focus on outcomes during the home health episode, MSPB evaluates the total Medicare spending associated with a p

CMS has introduced a new way to evaluate hospice providers by analyzing claims data for patterns that may suggest unusual utilization or Medicare spending. The Hospice Service & Spending Variation Index (SSVI) identifies hospices whose care patterns and non-hospice Medicare spending differ from national norms. While SSVI is not a payment program or quality rating, it reflects CMS's growing emphasis on program integrity, consistency, and responsible stewardship of Medicare res

Home Care Association of Washington exploring utilization trends and quality improvement opportunities for residents. Check out their 2018 Annual Conference Materials here.